Brussels, 23/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - In the referendum of Sunday 22 January, Croatia registered a vote of over 66% in favour of joining the European Union. However, the turn-out was only 44%. Barely had the results been revealed that the presidents of the European Council and the Commission welcomed the news. “With this vote, Croatia's citizens have given their endorsement to European integration. … The Croatian government can now complete the remaining preparations for membership”, said Herman Van Rompuy and José Manuel Barroso in a joint press release. The positive outcome in the referendum is a clear indication of the continued attractiveness of the EU, said European Parliament President Martin Schulz. Accession is the reward for the remarkable progress made by Croatia in making reform over the last few years, he added.
“The upcoming accession of Croatia sends a clear signal to the whole region of South Eastern Europe. It shows that through political courage and determined reforms, EU membership is within reach”, said Van Rompuy and Barroso.
For Committee of the Regions President Mercedes Bresso, the vote was a positive sign which shows that “despite the complicated period it is currently going through, the Union remains attractive to Europe's peoples and is still thought of as the best option for ensuring stability and prosperity”. She argued that “this process could not have concluded successfully without being strongly rooted at local level and without the involvement and work of Croatian local and regional authorities”.
UK Foreign Minister William Hague stated that this was “good news for Croatia and for Europe” and he highlighted the country's “political courage” and “real determination”. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé congratulated the Croatian authorities and the country's political forces as a whole, “united in their commitment”, for the “determination they demonstrated during the negotiation process”.
“This is a historic moment which could be a turning point in our history”, said Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic, who was, nonetheless, disappointed by the low turn-out. “This is a great moment in out history. We are going to join the most successful countries in Europe”, announced Croatian President Ivo Josipovic, as he cast his vote.
The treaty of accession, signed on 9 December 2011, must now be ratified by the Croatian parliament and the 27 countries of the EU. Croatia will probably become the 28th member state on 1 July 2013. (CG, with MD/transl.rt)